WEYMOUTH ended a turbulent few days as they succumbed to a crushing 88-run loss to Parley at Redlands.

Having started the week 20 points off leaders Poole, the Seasiders took a blow before a ball was even bowled on Saturday, as they were docked five points by the league earlier in the week for fielding an unregistered player.

And when asked to field by Parley on a wicket that seemed perfect for batting, due to a late drop out, Weymouth could only field with 10 men for the majority of their overs.

Australian Luke Condron was the pick of the Parley batsmen as he bludgeoned an unbeaten 72 off just 54 deliveries, to motor the league’s reigning champions to 257-8 off their 50 overs.

In response, the home side never really got going throughout the chase and were partly architects of their own downfall with the trio of Sami Rathnayake, skipper Kieron Womble and Neil Walton all run out.

Will McKay gave the innings some resistance with a well-constructed 47, but the game was all over when Gloucestershire academy youngster Dom Clutterbuck bowled Andy Jones, as the Seasiders slumped to 169 all out.

Weymouth skipper Womble told Echosport: “We lost the toss on a very flat track and chipped away at them. We had to field with ten for a good chunk of overs but we stuck at it.

“Getting them down to around 250 wasn’t a bad effort from our bowlers but we just lost key wickets at key times during the middle overs with the bat.

“Will McKay batted really well but that was it to be honest, he could have done with some more support.”

On the points deduction, the captain added: “We were a bit shocked and with the league so tight it was a big loss for us.

“This weekend was a huge set back but we are having fun and we are enjoying it, we have nothing to lose now we are in the top four.”